1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,840 Well, good morning everyone and a very very Merry Christmas to all of you! 2 00:00:04,000 –> 00:00:08,240 So grateful for the many ways in which together we have seen the blessing of God 3 00:00:08,800 –> 00:00:12,720 as we have served Him shoulder to shoulder through another year. 4 00:00:13,440 –> 00:00:17,520 Today we come to the last message in our series, bearing witness to Jesus. 5 00:00:17,840 –> 00:00:21,760 We have seen that the birth of Jesus Christ was announced from Heaven 6 00:00:22,160 –> 00:00:26,799 and then that it was confirmed on earth by various people who gave witness to Mary 7 00:00:27,139 –> 00:00:29,700 about the unique glory of the child that she bore. 8 00:00:30,340 –> 00:00:32,340 We have seen how each of them 9 00:00:32,419 –> 00:00:39,939 focused in on a particular aspect of the glory of Jesus. Elizabeth that He is lord, the shepherds that He is the savior, 10 00:00:40,340 –> 00:00:47,060 Simeon that He is the Christ, Anna that He is the Redeemer and that the wise men that He is the King. 11 00:00:48,099 –> 00:00:51,459 Today we’re going to go back to the announcement itself 12 00:00:52,200 –> 00:00:57,160 And focus on the words of the angel Gabriel that give to us the greatest statement of all 13 00:00:57,639 –> 00:01:01,080 with regards to the glory of Jesus Christ. 14 00:01:01,720 –> 00:01:08,279 Not only is Jesus Christ the Lord and the savior and the messiah the redeemer and the King 15 00:01:09,160 –> 00:01:12,599 But he is all these things precisely because 16 00:01:13,320 –> 00:01:14,400 he is 17 00:01:14,400 –> 00:01:16,400 the son of God 18 00:01:16,739 –> 00:01:21,320 And we’re looking therefore at luke’s gospel in chapter 1 and verse 35 19 00:01:22,019 –> 00:01:25,779 Where the angel says to mary the holy spirit will come upon you 20 00:01:26,339 –> 00:01:28,980 And the power of the most high will overshadow you 21 00:01:29,919 –> 00:01:33,779 Therefore the child to be born will be called holy 22 00:01:34,580 –> 00:01:36,180 the son 23 00:01:36,180 –> 00:01:40,660 Of God. Want us to ponder together this marvelous truth 24 00:01:41,139 –> 00:01:44,820 That is at the very center of the message of Christmas that Jesus 25 00:01:45,080 –> 00:01:47,720 The one who was born is indeed the son of god 26 00:01:48,199 –> 00:01:51,959 And then for us to see precisely because he is the son of god 27 00:01:52,279 –> 00:01:55,559 That there is freedom and peace and joy in him 28 00:01:56,040 –> 00:01:58,040 for all of us today 29 00:01:58,599 –> 00:02:00,839 Now i’d like to begin with two observations 30 00:02:01,320 –> 00:02:06,919 first that jesus speaks of god as his father and second that scripture speaks of 31 00:02:07,400 –> 00:02:08,919 jesus as 32 00:02:08,919 –> 00:02:10,759 god’s son 33 00:02:10,759 –> 00:02:16,039 Quick question now someone got this fairly quickly in the first service. Let’s see how we do in the second 34 00:02:16,279 –> 00:02:18,919 What are the first recorded words of jesus? 35 00:02:20,360 –> 00:02:23,399 the first recorded words of jesus 36 00:02:24,440 –> 00:02:28,679 They my mind immediately go. I must be uh, you know, the kingdom of god is at hand repent believe 37 00:02:28,759 –> 00:02:30,759 That’s not the first recorded words of jesus 38 00:02:30,839 –> 00:02:35,720 The first recorded words of jesus. Remember the family goes to the temple. It’s just 12 years old 39 00:02:36,600 –> 00:02:39,880 And what does he say when they find him back in the temple? 40 00:02:40,559 –> 00:02:42,559 did you not know that I 41 00:02:43,020 –> 00:02:45,020 must be in 42 00:02:45,479 –> 00:02:49,339 My father’s house. Isn’t that extraordinary? 43 00:02:50,759 –> 00:02:55,720 the early consciousness of jesus christ as to who he is 44 00:02:56,199 –> 00:03:02,839 That he is the son who uniquely is able to refer to god as my father notice 45 00:03:03,240 –> 00:03:10,039 It’s my father and that runs throughout the scriptures you find it again and again 46 00:03:10,580 –> 00:03:15,660 Matthew 11 27 all things have been handed over to me by my father 47 00:03:16,520 –> 00:03:21,160 That’s very important because when jesus speaks to his disciples. He refers to god as 48 00:03:21,639 –> 00:03:24,839 Your father making a distinction very clear 49 00:03:25,039 –> 00:03:31,820 For example in matthew 5 let your light shine Before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your 50 00:03:32,179 –> 00:03:38,360 Father who is in heaven very striking my father. Your father 51 00:03:38,360 –> 00:03:44,199 There’s only one time when jesus ever uses the phrase our father and that of course is in 52 00:03:44,720 –> 00:03:46,720 the Lord’s prayer and 53 00:03:47,320 –> 00:03:52,240 Notice that the hour there refers not to Jesus and the disciples 54 00:03:52,240 –> 00:03:59,100 But to the disciples as a group of people praying together when you pray you are to say our Father 55 00:04:01,660 –> 00:04:04,440 Indeed jesus seems to go out of his way 56 00:04:05,860 –> 00:04:12,419 To avoid ever saying our father. It’s always my father and your father after the resurrection 57 00:04:12,860 –> 00:04:15,759 He says notice the emphasis. I am 58 00:04:16,459 –> 00:04:17,679 ascending 59 00:04:17,679 –> 00:04:22,019 To my father, and to your father in other words 60 00:04:22,019 –> 00:04:24,980 he is my father in one sense and 61 00:04:25,739 –> 00:04:28,459 He is your father in another sense 62 00:04:29,200 –> 00:04:30,239 and 63 00:04:30,239 –> 00:04:36,739 it was the great Christian leader can get african christian leader augustin who years ago drew attention to the 64 00:04:37,019 –> 00:04:41,559 Significance of this what is jesus saying? He’s saying he’s my father by nature 65 00:04:42,420 –> 00:04:49,600 He is your father by grace. He is my father by right, and he is your father by 66 00:04:49,679 –> 00:04:51,679 Adoption and 67 00:04:52,239 –> 00:04:56,899 the difference between these two things of course was very very clear to the 68 00:04:57,260 –> 00:05:00,380 Pharisees and to the chief priests and to those who heard Jesus speak 69 00:05:00,720 –> 00:05:06,640 John says in John chapter 5 in verse 18 that this is why they wanted to kill jesus 70 00:05:07,640 –> 00:05:13,079 they wanted to kill him because he was calling God his own father and 71 00:05:13,760 –> 00:05:16,380 thereby making himself equal with 72 00:05:16,940 –> 00:05:18,339 God so 73 00:05:18,339 –> 00:05:22,160 Jesus spoke about god as his father in a way 74 00:05:22,179 –> 00:05:28,079 that was quite different from the way that any other worshiper would speak about our father in 75 00:05:28,459 –> 00:05:30,299 heaven and 76 00:05:30,299 –> 00:05:38,040 You see throughout the gospels that there is a very special intimacy about the way in which Jesus speaks to his father 77 00:05:38,359 –> 00:05:40,359 in the garden of Gethsemane 78 00:05:41,140 –> 00:05:43,140 my father if 79 00:05:43,820 –> 00:05:50,079 It’d be possible. Let this copy taking from me, but not my will but yours be done or 80 00:05:50,679 –> 00:05:52,959 When he’s nailed to the cross father 81 00:05:53,619 –> 00:05:59,119 Forgive them. They do not know what they are doing only one time 82 00:05:59,980 –> 00:06:07,200 does he address God other than as father and when was that it’s when he becomes the 83 00:06:07,640 –> 00:06:09,640 sin-bearer and 84 00:06:10,059 –> 00:06:11,839 in that awful 85 00:06:11,839 –> 00:06:15,359 darkness at the very depth of his suffering when precisely 86 00:06:15,440 –> 00:06:22,339 because he has become the Lamb of God who is taking away the sin of the world and he’s bearing our sin and therefore he 87 00:06:22,820 –> 00:06:30,440 Experiences this shutting off from the flow of love between father and son that he has been his joy for all 88 00:06:30,500 –> 00:06:37,100 Eternity. What does he cry out then he says my God my god. Why have you forsaken me? 89 00:06:38,179 –> 00:06:40,179 Jesus speaks of 90 00:06:40,179 –> 00:06:44,660 God as his father and scripture speaks of Jesus as God’s son 91 00:06:44,739 –> 00:06:49,260 And that is the significance of the verse that is before us today the great 92 00:06:49,660 –> 00:06:52,779 Announcement from heaven about who was coming into the world 93 00:06:53,380 –> 00:06:55,540 Angel Gabriel says you got to know who it is 94 00:06:55,640 –> 00:07:01,579 He’s the Son of God and that is confirmed through the gospel story at his baptism 95 00:07:01,579 –> 00:07:03,440 Remember the voice comes from heaven 96 00:07:03,440 –> 00:07:09,339 This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased when 97 00:07:09,739 –> 00:07:15,519 He goes into the desert and Satan the Great Enemy wants to tempt him Satan knows who he is 98 00:07:15,899 –> 00:07:18,880 But he wants to raise questions about it. So what does he say? 99 00:07:18,880 –> 00:07:22,859 What’s the focus of the temptation if you are the Son of God? 100 00:07:23,260 –> 00:07:30,600 Then command these stones that they may become bread when the trial of Jesus comes about. What’s the first charge? 101 00:07:31,820 –> 00:07:34,980 he’s brought into the house of Caiaphas the high priest and 102 00:07:35,700 –> 00:07:38,720 Caiaphas says I abjure you by the living God 103 00:07:39,200 –> 00:07:43,200 tell us if you are the son of God and 104 00:07:43,799 –> 00:07:48,119 Jesus says you have said so the way we would put it is you said it? I 105 00:07:49,200 –> 00:07:51,200 Am the son of 106 00:07:52,200 –> 00:07:53,880 God 107 00:07:53,880 –> 00:08:00,940 Now again just as it’s very important to observe the distinction that Jesus observes between my father and your father 108 00:08:01,720 –> 00:08:07,640 So it is very important to observe that son of God means something quite 109 00:08:08,059 –> 00:08:14,000 Different when it is applied to jeez’s from what it means anywhere else in the Bible 110 00:08:14,720 –> 00:08:16,880 for example in the book of Job 111 00:08:18,320 –> 00:08:22,220 Angels are referred to as the sons of God in 112 00:08:22,820 –> 00:08:25,200 The Old Testament Israel is 113 00:08:26,000 –> 00:08:32,859 Described as God’s son out of Egypt. I have called my son. That’s a reference to Israel in 114 00:08:33,619 –> 00:08:35,619 Hosea chapter 11 in verse 1 115 00:08:36,380 –> 00:08:42,500 Jesus says blessed are the peacemakers because they will be called the sons of God and 116 00:08:42,979 –> 00:08:48,340 Romans chapter 8 in verse 14 says that all who are led by the Spirit of God are 117 00:08:48,940 –> 00:08:50,520 sons of 118 00:08:50,520 –> 00:08:52,520 God I 119 00:08:52,640 –> 00:08:57,460 Want therefore to make these three observations about the uniqueness of Jesus 120 00:08:59,099 –> 00:09:05,340 Here is the uniqueness of Jesus first our Lord refers to himself as 121 00:09:06,239 –> 00:09:07,460 the 122 00:09:07,460 –> 00:09:08,719 son 123 00:09:08,719 –> 00:09:11,479 These are not a son the son 124 00:09:12,219 –> 00:09:16,739 no one knows the father except the son and 125 00:09:17,340 –> 00:09:20,000 Anyone to whom the son chooses? 126 00:09:20,700 –> 00:09:28,460 to reveal him and it’s on that basis that Jesus uniquely is able to say come to me all you who are weary burdened heavy laden and 127 00:09:28,460 –> 00:09:30,900 I will give you rest and 128 00:09:31,739 –> 00:09:35,859 Then the scriptures refer to him as the only son 129 00:09:36,500 –> 00:09:38,500 John 1 in verse 14 130 00:09:39,039 –> 00:09:45,700 the Word became flesh and lived among us and we have seen his glory the glory as of the only 131 00:09:46,219 –> 00:09:48,219 Son of the Father 132 00:09:48,440 –> 00:09:50,539 full of grace and truth and 133 00:09:51,140 –> 00:09:57,219 Of course John 3 16 that we all know so well for God. So loved the world that he gave his only son 134 00:09:58,020 –> 00:10:01,239 That whoever believes in him should not perish but have 135 00:10:02,200 –> 00:10:03,359 eternal 136 00:10:03,359 –> 00:10:05,359 life 137 00:10:05,900 –> 00:10:09,099 There is in other words a great difference 138 00:10:09,200 –> 00:10:10,380 Difference 139 00:10:10,380 –> 00:10:13,340 between the son ship of Jesus and 140 00:10:13,979 –> 00:10:20,080 The way in which any other person made through him become a son or a daughter of God 141 00:10:20,979 –> 00:10:23,659 Jesus is the Son of God by nature 142 00:10:24,419 –> 00:10:30,039 We become sons or daughters of God through adoption into his family by grace 143 00:10:31,520 –> 00:10:36,460 Jesus has always been always will be the eternal Son of God 144 00:10:36,760 –> 00:10:41,799 We must become God’s children and we do that as we receive him 145 00:10:41,799 –> 00:10:46,440 It’s to those who receive him. He gives the right to become 146 00:10:47,099 –> 00:10:49,099 children of God 147 00:10:49,400 –> 00:10:53,659 so he is the sun he is the only son and 148 00:10:55,000 –> 00:10:58,979 Scripture makes very clear that the Son of God is indeed 149 00:10:59,700 –> 00:11:01,700 God with us 150 00:11:03,099 –> 00:11:05,859 Emanuel God with us 151 00:11:06,619 –> 00:11:13,159 He shared the Father’s glory before the world began. That’s John chapter 17 and verse 5 152 00:11:14,059 –> 00:11:19,440 He laid aside that glory came into the world went through death and resurrection 153 00:11:19,919 –> 00:11:21,000 was 154 00:11:21,000 –> 00:11:27,440 Ascended to heaven where he is invested with all the glory of God Almighty 155 00:11:28,520 –> 00:11:30,280 himself 156 00:11:30,299 –> 00:11:33,820 Now perhaps the place where this is most clearly 157 00:11:34,520 –> 00:11:41,679 Laid out who is this Son of God? What does it mean for Jesus to be the Son of God? 158 00:11:42,840 –> 00:11:46,320 John’s gospel is all about Jesus the Son of God 159 00:11:47,359 –> 00:11:52,739 The whole book is about Jesus the Son of God at the end of the book 160 00:11:52,760 –> 00:12:00,140 John says these are written that you may know that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that therefore by believing 161 00:12:00,299 –> 00:12:04,760 You may have life in his name. So they’re all things about that. You may know the Son of God and 162 00:12:05,479 –> 00:12:08,000 So right at the beginning of John’s gospel 163 00:12:08,559 –> 00:12:13,320 He is introducing the great subject the great theme of the gospel 164 00:12:13,700 –> 00:12:17,340 Jesus Christ the Son of God who is he who is this son 165 00:12:18,919 –> 00:12:20,760 Now 166 00:12:20,760 –> 00:12:24,000 Greek Mythology in the days in which John was writing 167 00:12:25,299 –> 00:12:28,700 Was full as all of you know were off stories 168 00:12:29,179 –> 00:12:34,320 about imaginary God’s who were behaving very badly and 169 00:12:34,960 –> 00:12:39,599 As a result ended up producing children from their union with women on earth 170 00:12:40,080 –> 00:12:44,000 Children that turned out to be sort of halfway between God and man 171 00:12:44,799 –> 00:12:46,020 more than human 172 00:12:46,020 –> 00:12:49,159 But less than God and and John wants to be absolutely 173 00:12:49,960 –> 00:12:55,900 clear that there’s nothing remotely related to that world of mythology when he is speaking about 174 00:12:56,419 –> 00:12:58,419 the Son of God 175 00:12:58,739 –> 00:13:05,260 and so when he introduces who the Sun is I want you to know about the Son of God because you can have life in his 176 00:13:05,260 –> 00:13:05,979 name 177 00:13:05,979 –> 00:13:06,979 And 178 00:13:06,979 –> 00:13:11,679 Let me introduce you to him. Let me tell you who he is. Where does he begin in? 179 00:13:12,619 –> 00:13:14,619 the beginning was 180 00:13:15,140 –> 00:13:17,140 the Word and 181 00:13:18,080 –> 00:13:25,419 The word was with God and the Word was God every Jewish reader knew what that meant 182 00:13:26,419 –> 00:13:31,380 How did God create what happened at the beginning God spoke 183 00:13:32,739 –> 00:13:37,859 he said let there be light and there was light the Word of God is 184 00:13:38,780 –> 00:13:43,460 God himself in action God fulfilling his own 185 00:13:43,919 –> 00:13:50,460 Purpose as Jim Packer puts it the Word of God is God at work. God himself 186 00:13:51,580 –> 00:13:53,619 accomplishing his purpose and 187 00:13:53,859 –> 00:13:54,979 and 188 00:13:54,979 –> 00:13:56,979 Then John tells us the Word 189 00:13:58,780 –> 00:14:04,500 became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory the glory as 190 00:14:04,539 –> 00:14:09,419 Of the only Son, so who is the Sun the Sun is the Word made flesh 191 00:14:10,780 –> 00:14:17,640 God with us God in action, God fulfilling his purpose for his people 192 00:14:19,859 –> 00:14:23,119 They’re the beautiful place that I think so helpfully 193 00:14:24,179 –> 00:14:28,119 Enables us to worship at the feet of Jesus 194 00:14:28,960 –> 00:14:35,260 Is in Hebrews in chapter one or again, we’re told who is this Son you remember how Hebrews begins 195 00:14:36,140 –> 00:14:42,500 God spoken in many different ways in past years, but now he has spoken to us through his Son 196 00:14:42,840 –> 00:14:46,719 And the book of Hebrews then tells us now, who is this Son? 197 00:14:47,520 –> 00:14:52,359 Well, here’s who he is Hebrews 1 in verse 3. He is the radiance 198 00:14:52,539 –> 00:14:56,359 of the glory of God 199 00:14:57,859 –> 00:15:05,099 He is the radiance of the glory of God and he is the exact imprint of 200 00:15:06,020 –> 00:15:07,880 his nature 201 00:15:07,880 –> 00:15:09,700 Think about the Sun 202 00:15:09,700 –> 00:15:11,780 Sun in all of its brilliance 203 00:15:13,020 –> 00:15:16,799 Think about the Sun and it’s radiance 204 00:15:16,960 –> 00:15:18,919 The 205 00:15:18,919 –> 00:15:20,919 radiance of the Sun is 206 00:15:21,719 –> 00:15:23,179 inseparable from 207 00:15:23,179 –> 00:15:26,719 the Sun itself the radiance is the 208 00:15:27,260 –> 00:15:29,280 outpouring off 209 00:15:29,280 –> 00:15:30,479 the Sun 210 00:15:30,479 –> 00:15:37,700 The Sun could not exist apart from its radiance and the radiance could not exist apart from the Sun 211 00:15:38,140 –> 00:15:44,020 S-u-n, now Jesus Christ the son of God the S-o-n of God is 212 00:15:44,659 –> 00:15:46,659 the radiance of 213 00:15:46,799 –> 00:15:49,080 the Father’s glory, he is the 214 00:15:50,059 –> 00:15:52,059 outpouring of everything that 215 00:15:52,059 –> 00:15:57,799 the Father is that’s how Jesus is able to say I and the Father are one because 216 00:15:57,799 –> 00:16:00,380 Like the sun and its radiance, they’re inseparable 217 00:16:00,380 –> 00:16:00,760 the 218 00:16:00,760 –> 00:16:02,419 Father is in the Sun the Sun is in the 219 00:16:02,419 –> 00:16:08,159 Father the Father is not the Sun the Sun is not the Father and yet the father and the Son are one 220 00:16:08,419 –> 00:16:10,419 it’s glorious 221 00:16:11,659 –> 00:16:16,200 And when you come to it what has happened at Christmas God has come to us 222 00:16:17,200 –> 00:16:19,200 God himself 223 00:16:19,280 –> 00:16:20,340 in 224 00:16:20,340 –> 00:16:22,419 Jesus Christ the Son the 225 00:16:23,059 –> 00:16:25,359 radiance of the Father’s glory the word of God 226 00:16:27,099 –> 00:16:30,840 God at work God with Us 227 00:16:33,599 –> 00:16:38,280 Now friends this whole series has been answering one basic question who is Jesus? 228 00:16:38,599 –> 00:16:44,340 Now we’ve seen multiple answers from the Bible. He’s the Lord is the Savior is the Christ is the Redeemer 229 00:16:44,599 –> 00:16:50,900 King and now today. He is the Son of God. That’s the most important question of all who is Jesus 230 00:16:52,239 –> 00:16:58,159 Because this is the foundation on which everything else rests in Christian faith 231 00:16:59,039 –> 00:17:02,460 Many people have questions about Christian faith 232 00:17:02,739 –> 00:17:10,119 You know some folks have difficulty with the miracles and especially the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is that something I can really believe 233 00:17:11,000 –> 00:17:15,400 Some people have difficulties with the claims of Jesus I am the way the truth and the life 234 00:17:15,400 –> 00:17:21,400 No one comes to the Father except by me. That’s very exclusive. Is that something I can really believe? 235 00:17:23,420 –> 00:17:25,640 But when you come to the Gospels 236 00:17:26,959 –> 00:17:32,760 The first truth that confronts us is the revelation of who he is 237 00:17:33,800 –> 00:17:39,819 Our Lord always puts this question at the center. Who do you say that I am? 238 00:17:40,119 –> 00:17:42,260 He asks his disciples 239 00:17:43,599 –> 00:17:46,079 And dr. Jim Packer in his marvelous book 240 00:17:46,079 –> 00:17:50,760 Knowing God has a statement that I found very very helpful. He says this the 241 00:17:51,239 –> 00:17:53,579 incarnation is in itself an 242 00:17:54,239 –> 00:17:56,239 unfathomable mystery 243 00:17:57,599 –> 00:18:01,099 But it makes sense of everything else that the New Testament contains 244 00:18:01,180 –> 00:18:07,420 you’ll spend the rest of your life, and I suspect we’ll spend eternity trying to get our 245 00:18:07,819 –> 00:18:14,599 Worshiping minds around how God can become man in Jesus Christ. It’s an unfathomable mystery 246 00:18:16,060 –> 00:18:22,420 but it makes sense of everything else that the New Testament contains 247 00:18:24,260 –> 00:18:26,260 Now surely he’s right 248 00:18:26,979 –> 00:18:33,420 Because after all if Jesus was simply a uniquely godly man, especially gifted person 249 00:18:34,420 –> 00:18:36,739 His miracles would be suspicious 250 00:18:37,520 –> 00:18:40,280 his claims would be preposterous and 251 00:18:40,900 –> 00:18:47,880 A thinking person would treat any promise that came from his mouth with extreme caution and skepticism 252 00:18:49,260 –> 00:18:51,260 but if indeed God 253 00:18:51,859 –> 00:18:56,819 Came into the world in Jesus Christ as the scripture tells us that he did 254 00:18:58,020 –> 00:19:03,119 You would expect him to say things that nobody else has ever said or could say and 255 00:19:04,099 –> 00:19:09,979 you would expect him to do things that nobody else could ever do or ever has done and 256 00:19:10,800 –> 00:19:14,819 If God came into the world in person in Jesus Christ 257 00:19:14,819 –> 00:19:19,140 Actually the more astonishing thing is not that he would rise from the dead 258 00:19:19,140 –> 00:19:21,199 But that he would enter into death in the first place 259 00:19:22,939 –> 00:19:24,079 The 260 00:19:24,079 –> 00:19:27,500 Incarnation is in itself an unfathomable mystery 261 00:19:27,579 –> 00:19:33,719 But it makes sense of everything else the New Testament contains. So here’s what that means for us 262 00:19:34,900 –> 00:19:39,660 When you settle in your mind and in your heart who Jesus is 263 00:19:40,819 –> 00:19:46,439 that he is the Lord that he’s the Savior that he’s the Christ the Redeemer and the King and he’s all these things because he 264 00:19:46,459 –> 00:19:48,859 The son of God. He is God with us 265 00:19:49,180 –> 00:19:56,199 Then you will have a foundation of faith on which everything else will rest and that foundation of faith will never fail you 266 00:19:56,780 –> 00:20:00,380 You can rest your life with all the problems you face 267 00:20:01,180 –> 00:20:08,780 You can learn rest your death whatever its timing and its circumstances and you can rest your eternity on 268 00:20:09,660 –> 00:20:15,060 Jesus Christ and who he is the Son of God 269 00:20:16,680 –> 00:20:19,599 My friends I think it’s very appropriate at Christmastime to 270 00:20:21,099 –> 00:20:25,959 Reflect on the glory of who it is that came into the world at Christmas 271 00:20:27,119 –> 00:20:32,739 But I wanted in the rest of our time this morning to apply this particularly to our own experience today 272 00:20:33,439 –> 00:20:39,420 To ask this question what difference then will this great truth that Jesus is the Son of God make to our lives today? 273 00:20:39,420 –> 00:20:41,420 what difference will it make and 274 00:20:42,319 –> 00:20:46,359 My prayer for today is that it will make a difference 275 00:20:46,439 –> 00:20:47,560 in 276 00:20:47,560 –> 00:20:49,560 these ways first 277 00:20:49,839 –> 00:20:51,839 that seeing his love 278 00:20:53,060 –> 00:20:56,959 You will trust him that seeing his love you will trust him 279 00:20:58,140 –> 00:21:03,280 Best known verse in the Bible for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son 280 00:21:03,420 –> 00:21:05,420 Do you see the connection there? 281 00:21:05,420 –> 00:21:12,380 It’s the fact that it’s the son who was given that gives you the measure of how much God loves the world 282 00:21:13,380 –> 00:21:17,839 God so loved the world that he gave his only son 283 00:21:18,400 –> 00:21:23,219 that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life 284 00:21:24,680 –> 00:21:27,180 Donald McCleod makes the point that there was a 285 00:21:27,719 –> 00:21:30,160 unique glorious bond of love 286 00:21:31,219 –> 00:21:36,359 between the father and the son and it arises for this reason that the 287 00:21:36,839 –> 00:21:42,359 Son was uniquely lovable and the father was uniquely 288 00:21:42,959 –> 00:21:46,479 affectionate think of all the love that is in the father think of how 289 00:21:46,839 –> 00:21:53,739 lovable is the son the bond of affection between father and son going back into eternity and 290 00:21:54,280 –> 00:21:56,280 extending forever and forever 291 00:21:57,439 –> 00:21:58,640 and 292 00:21:58,640 –> 00:22:00,640 then he makes this point that 293 00:22:01,819 –> 00:22:03,859 the love of God for us is 294 00:22:04,599 –> 00:22:06,599 astonishing because 295 00:22:07,640 –> 00:22:11,199 He put the world before his son 296 00:22:14,260 –> 00:22:19,760 Nobody would be surprised at the statement. God gave the world for his son 297 00:22:21,719 –> 00:22:27,219 But what are we to make of the statement that God gave his son for the world 298 00:22:29,660 –> 00:22:33,839 We sing love came down at Christmas 299 00:22:34,380 –> 00:22:39,760 And we’re able to do that because God gave his son 300 00:22:41,119 –> 00:22:43,119 For the world 301 00:22:44,079 –> 00:22:45,959 Now 302 00:22:45,959 –> 00:22:50,760 Just a few days ago Karna and I were watching a program the television the Prophet 303 00:22:50,760 –> 00:22:56,880 It’s a show in which a guy by the name of Marcus Lamonis who I believe comes from around here in Chicago 304 00:22:57,500 –> 00:23:01,260 Invests his own money in order to turn around ailing 305 00:23:01,880 –> 00:23:08,780 businesses and in this episode that we saw he was working with a couple who ran a rather struggling company the 306 00:23:08,780 –> 00:23:13,699 Husband was rather brittle shall we say he he wouldn’t listen to feedback 307 00:23:14,619 –> 00:23:21,739 Marvelously creative artist, but when any comment is made on his work. His wife says, you know, he just shuts down 308 00:23:21,739 –> 00:23:24,199 he can’t he can’t hear any of that and 309 00:23:25,239 –> 00:23:27,380 there were a couple of employees, but 310 00:23:27,979 –> 00:23:29,979 the temperament of the 311 00:23:30,719 –> 00:23:34,359 Man owning the business was such that he seemed to feel that nothing was really done 312 00:23:34,359 –> 00:23:38,680 right unless it was done himself and so it was not quite clear what 313 00:23:39,119 –> 00:23:41,359 responsibilities really these good folks had 314 00:23:42,140 –> 00:23:45,239 In the past they had outsourced 315 00:23:46,199 –> 00:23:52,680 Manufacturing of their product but there had been a problem somewhere along the line and his immediate response had been to take it back in-house 316 00:23:52,699 –> 00:23:58,920 And therefore they were trying to do this manufacturing in a facility. That was obviously completely and utterly 317 00:23:59,140 –> 00:24:00,819 inadequate 318 00:24:00,819 –> 00:24:05,020 And at one point having got into the story of this company 319 00:24:05,939 –> 00:24:07,939 Marcus said to this guy 320 00:24:08,579 –> 00:24:10,579 Tell me 321 00:24:10,660 –> 00:24:17,339 What is it that has happened in your life that you don’t trust anybody and 322 00:24:19,099 –> 00:24:21,099 The guy teared up and 323 00:24:21,979 –> 00:24:26,400 He began to speak of how his parents growing up were all at each other 324 00:24:26,819 –> 00:24:28,819 And then of their divorce 325 00:24:29,819 –> 00:24:34,060 And of how he had grown up under this barrage of 326 00:24:35,520 –> 00:24:37,520 Verbal abuse 327 00:24:38,680 –> 00:24:44,020 That in his early years nobody had really had any belief in him or any confidence in him 328 00:24:45,859 –> 00:24:51,079 There’s a story that I think many many many people would relate to painfully well 329 00:24:51,079 –> 00:24:53,079 Including 330 00:24:53,079 –> 00:24:58,099 Many in the congregation today, and I’m sitting looking at the television, and I want to say to this guy 331 00:24:58,959 –> 00:25:04,719 But if you knew that you are loved you would be able to trust 332 00:25:06,920 –> 00:25:08,920 And I’m saying that to you today 333 00:25:10,180 –> 00:25:15,800 When you know that you are loved you will be able to trust 334 00:25:17,660 –> 00:25:19,800 So look at this love of Christ 335 00:25:21,339 –> 00:25:27,920 Look at the love of God for your God so loved you that he gave his Son for you 336 00:25:27,979 –> 00:25:30,800 Here is the father face to face with the son 337 00:25:30,800 –> 00:25:38,060 He loves with this infinite communion and this bond from all eternity between father and son who are one in very 338 00:25:38,540 –> 00:25:39,760 nature and 339 00:25:39,760 –> 00:25:41,699 He puts you ahead of his son 340 00:25:41,699 –> 00:25:43,380 He won’t give up you for his son 341 00:25:43,380 –> 00:25:48,420 But he will give up his son for you and the Son of God says, I will give myself for you 342 00:25:48,420 –> 00:25:52,739 why in the world that you will not trust him 343 00:25:54,660 –> 00:25:58,280 and you know what when you trust Him it will make a huge difference 344 00:25:58,520 –> 00:26:00,719 To the way in which you relate to other people 345 00:26:00,920 –> 00:26:03,020 Other people may have let you down 346 00:26:03,020 –> 00:26:05,459 No doubt other people will let you down in the future 347 00:26:05,520 –> 00:26:11,020 But you will be able to say you know what I know that there is one who loves me 348 00:26:11,859 –> 00:26:13,560 and I 349 00:26:13,560 –> 00:26:15,560 can trust in 350 00:26:15,599 –> 00:26:17,540 Him oh 351 00:26:17,540 –> 00:26:23,579 To know the love of Christ the Son of God is the greatest freedom from fear 352 00:26:24,140 –> 00:26:26,140 that you could ever know and 353 00:26:26,619 –> 00:26:31,319 I’m praying today that for many of us seeing the love of the Son of God 354 00:26:32,520 –> 00:26:40,459 Will enable us to trust him second that seeing the authority of the Son of God. We will obey him 355 00:26:41,380 –> 00:26:46,020 Remember the words that came from heaven at the Transfiguration a cloud 356 00:26:46,540 –> 00:26:53,560 Overshadowed the disciples and a voice came out of the cloud. This is my beloved Son 357 00:26:54,479 –> 00:26:56,479 Listen to him 358 00:26:56,579 –> 00:26:58,579 listen to him and 359 00:26:58,619 –> 00:26:59,939 so here’s 360 00:26:59,939 –> 00:27:01,339 the father 361 00:27:01,339 –> 00:27:07,739 Speaking to the disciples of Jesus the Almighty speaking to us and saying look listen to my son 362 00:27:09,099 –> 00:27:11,099 Submit your life to his word 363 00:27:11,119 –> 00:27:16,339 Open that word daily and nourish your life in the word of my son 364 00:27:17,199 –> 00:27:20,199 There’s power there, and it’s going to change your life 365 00:27:21,739 –> 00:27:25,979 When the Son of God speaks even the winds and the waves obey him 366 00:27:26,660 –> 00:27:28,660 That’s his authority 367 00:27:29,079 –> 00:27:34,079 What is it that’s wrong with our human nature that we find? It’s so difficult to do the same 368 00:27:34,739 –> 00:27:41,979 My friends think about this think about the blessing that you can find here under the authority of the Son of God I 369 00:27:42,680 –> 00:27:44,479 Don’t know about you. I’m certain 370 00:27:44,479 –> 00:27:50,180 I’m not the only person who feels this way, but I feel at peace when things are in order 371 00:27:50,699 –> 00:27:57,099 Anyone else like that if there’s chaos on my desk if there’s chaos first one reason or another in any 372 00:27:57,180 –> 00:28:03,780 Area of my life. I feel all out of sorts. I feel at peace when things are in order 373 00:28:04,500 –> 00:28:05,699 and 374 00:28:05,699 –> 00:28:07,699 Here’s the problem of that 375 00:28:08,300 –> 00:28:13,640 The truth is that the vast majority of your life. And mine is not under our control. I 376 00:28:14,579 –> 00:28:17,219 Can’t tell you what’s going to happen in my life by the end of today 377 00:28:17,219 –> 00:28:21,319 Let alone tomorrow and you can’t with regards to your life either 378 00:28:22,839 –> 00:28:25,959 So how in the world are we going to find peace? 379 00:28:28,079 –> 00:28:32,900 When so much of life is actually beyond our control 380 00:28:35,079 –> 00:28:39,380 Well, think of the peace that could be yours if 381 00:28:40,239 –> 00:28:42,239 You could really say 382 00:28:42,939 –> 00:28:47,099 that my life is in the hands of the One who says all 383 00:28:47,979 –> 00:28:52,560 Authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me 384 00:28:53,619 –> 00:28:58,459 Think of the confidence you could have in going out into an uncertain world this week 385 00:28:58,459 –> 00:29:00,939 if you could say I live under the 386 00:29:01,280 –> 00:29:06,280 Authority of the son of God and not a thing happens in life death or eternity 387 00:29:06,479 –> 00:29:12,800 Apart from his word and his will you would be able if you knew that to go into all the world 388 00:29:12,800 –> 00:29:17,239 Which is precisely what he calls us to do with all of its fears all of its uncertainties 389 00:29:19,079 –> 00:29:21,079 the Son of God 390 00:29:21,920 –> 00:29:24,359 Seeing his love that you would trust him 391 00:29:25,479 –> 00:29:30,719 Seeing his authority that you would obey him third seeing his power 392 00:29:31,040 –> 00:29:33,040 That you would find hope in him 393 00:29:33,680 –> 00:29:35,439 Someone has come to church here today 394 00:29:35,439 –> 00:29:40,560 And you say I don’t know what kind of future there is for me you’re facing many many problems 395 00:29:40,560 –> 00:29:44,719 And you’re not able to overcome them and and things seem to be terribly dark 396 00:29:45,000 –> 00:29:49,859 Let me point you to the Son of God where you will find hope as you see his power 397 00:29:50,979 –> 00:29:55,000 Paul put it this way and Romans in chapter one that Jesus Christ was declared 398 00:29:55,540 –> 00:29:57,540 Son of God in power 399 00:29:58,140 –> 00:30:01,420 According to the spirit of holiness by his 400 00:30:02,020 –> 00:30:04,180 Resurrection from the dead 401 00:30:04,800 –> 00:30:06,599 What’s he referring to? 402 00:30:06,599 –> 00:30:13,660 He’s telling us this see at Christmas. What happens the Almighty comes into the world. He lays aside his glory 403 00:30:13,819 –> 00:30:15,900 It becomes this helpless, baby 404 00:30:16,939 –> 00:30:19,760 He has to learn and grow 405 00:30:21,699 –> 00:30:26,839 The one who authored the Old Testament scriptures and now he’s learning them 406 00:30:28,439 –> 00:30:32,920 The one who hears and answers prayer and now he’s offering prayer 407 00:30:34,319 –> 00:30:39,060 the Son of God and he knows what it is to be tired and he knows what it is to be hungry and he is 408 00:30:39,060 –> 00:30:46,599 Truly tempted and his soul is overwhelmed with sorrow and he is crucified in weakness on a cross 409 00:30:48,660 –> 00:30:52,540 But the story does not end there and the Apostle says here’s what’s happened 410 00:30:53,079 –> 00:30:55,079 he’s raised in power and he is 411 00:30:55,640 –> 00:30:59,699 Declared to be the Son of God in power by his resurrection 412 00:31:00,359 –> 00:31:02,359 from the dead 413 00:31:02,680 –> 00:31:08,400 In other words this mighty Son of God who came into the world in order to reconcile us to the Father 414 00:31:08,579 –> 00:31:10,339 He has triumphed over 415 00:31:10,339 –> 00:31:15,979 Everything that was thrown against him even death itself and now lives in the power of an endless life 416 00:31:16,180 –> 00:31:21,339 Which he is able therefore to give and to share with all who trust in Him 417 00:31:21,880 –> 00:31:23,959 And that is why John at the end of his gospel 418 00:31:24,380 –> 00:31:30,239 Says that these things are written that you may know that Jesus is the Son of God and that by believing you may have life 419 00:31:30,239 –> 00:31:32,079 in his name 420 00:31:32,079 –> 00:31:33,500 and 421 00:31:33,500 –> 00:31:39,239 Where you believe in the Son of God this life, this eternal life is yours 422 00:31:40,560 –> 00:31:44,280 You have in Jesus Christ a future of unclouded 423 00:31:44,520 –> 00:31:49,920 Joy ahead of you whatever you face today. That’s where hope is found in Jesus 424 00:31:49,920 –> 00:31:50,900 and 425 00:31:50,900 –> 00:31:58,060 The strength of doing this will give you the courage that you need when you face the darkest days of your life 426 00:31:59,939 –> 00:32:06,400 Some folks here who are getting older and perhaps you’re beginning to feel that life is slips away from you. It’s hard 427 00:32:06,400 –> 00:32:08,400 It’s not easy listen 428 00:32:08,939 –> 00:32:15,839 You have more life ahead of you brother and sister in Christ, then you can ever begin to imagine 429 00:32:16,800 –> 00:32:21,280 There someone else perhaps at a different stage of life and and you’re feeling you’ve missed out 430 00:32:22,099 –> 00:32:26,839 There are things you would like to have happened in your life, and yet you’re saying it seems that I missed out 431 00:32:28,640 –> 00:32:30,160 listen 432 00:32:30,160 –> 00:32:36,199 When you have life in the name of Jesus christ you have life in all of its fullness 433 00:32:36,520 –> 00:32:39,020 You have life in all of its glory 434 00:32:39,140 –> 00:32:46,680 There is no missing out on life for a person who is in Jesus Christ 435 00:32:48,339 –> 00:32:52,219 So you see all of this flows from the knowledge of the son of God 436 00:32:53,680 –> 00:32:57,479 That seeing the love of the son of God you would be able to trust 437 00:32:57,660 –> 00:33:03,540 I’m seeing the authority of the son of God you would begin to obey him seek the power of the son of God 438 00:33:03,719 –> 00:33:08,819 Over all the forces of darkness that you would find hope in him 439 00:33:08,819 –> 00:33:15,680 And here’s the very last thing that seeing the glory of the son of God you would indeed worship him 440 00:33:16,719 –> 00:33:19,079 He laid aside his glory 441 00:33:19,780 –> 00:33:22,319 That he had shared with the father 442 00:33:23,199 –> 00:33:25,199 since before the world began 443 00:33:25,199 –> 00:33:26,800 then 444 00:33:26,800 –> 00:33:31,900 And he takes flesh and he enters our world o that he considered a table with disciples 445 00:33:31,939 –> 00:33:34,920 And here’s John and he’s sitting next to him 446 00:33:34,920 –> 00:33:40,739 He’s actually leaning on Jesus as they’re sitting in the circle around the table eating the lost supper 447 00:33:41,819 –> 00:33:44,540 he dies he arises he ascends and 448 00:33:45,199 –> 00:33:46,400 is 449 00:33:46,400 –> 00:33:47,780 glorified 450 00:33:47,780 –> 00:33:53,699 the right hand of the Father in heaven and in the book of Revelation John who sat beside him says I 451 00:33:54,439 –> 00:33:56,439 saw his glory and 452 00:33:57,660 –> 00:34:02,979 When he saw Jesus as he now is the exalted glorified King the Son of God 453 00:34:03,439 –> 00:34:10,560 He says I fell at his feet as though I were dead. I just call I couldn’t stand in his presence 454 00:34:12,340 –> 00:34:14,560 But he laid his right hand on me 455 00:34:15,639 –> 00:34:20,340 John says and he said fear not for I am the first and the last and the living one 456 00:34:20,340 –> 00:34:26,800 I died and behold, I am alive forevermore and I have the keys of death and 457 00:34:27,719 –> 00:34:29,719 of Hades 458 00:34:29,780 –> 00:34:34,080 Here’s the future for all who are in Christ you’re gonna see his glory 459 00:34:35,560 –> 00:34:39,139 You’re gonna share in the glory of the Son of God forever 460 00:34:41,260 –> 00:34:46,280 We’d better start getting ready and we do that as we trust him we do that as we obey him 461 00:34:46,320 –> 00:34:53,459 we do that as we hope in him we do that as we worship him the Son of God who came into the world and 462 00:34:53,979 –> 00:34:57,340 died in order to bring us to the Father and 463 00:34:57,860 –> 00:34:59,860 Now lives in 464 00:34:59,979 –> 00:35:02,600 Order to bring us home. Let’s pray together 465 00:35:04,560 –> 00:35:08,919 Father we bless you for your dear son, Jesus Christ our Lord and 466 00:35:09,699 –> 00:35:11,699 for all that is ours 467 00:35:12,520 –> 00:35:14,520 in him 468 00:35:15,159 –> 00:35:20,800 We ask that seeing his great. Love we will trust him 469 00:35:21,959 –> 00:35:27,580 And standing in off his great authority we will obey him and therefore live with confidence 470 00:35:30,280 –> 00:35:36,179 We ask father that in the light of his power we may have hope even in the times of great darkness 471 00:35:37,520 –> 00:35:42,739 And we ask that in the light of his glory. We may be those who live to worship now 472 00:35:43,379 –> 00:35:46,040 in anticipation of the worship 473 00:35:46,739 –> 00:35:50,060 That we shall share with all of the redeemed in 474 00:35:50,780 –> 00:35:52,580 his presence 475 00:35:52,580 –> 00:35:56,939 Forever and forever hear our prayers in Jesus name 476 00:35:57,820 –> 00:35:59,820 Amen